Tigo Energy Expands Residential Solar Repowering Solutions for Legacy Systems in the Midwest
New inverter and capabilities showcased at Zonna Energy conference help enable system upgrades to preserve original capacity and avoid re-permitting or service panel modifications
Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:TYGO) ("Tigo" or "Company"), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy software solutions, today announced the availability of an Inverter Power Output Control (IPOC) for the 3.8kW Tigo EI Inverter designed for smaller residential systems with utility interconnection constraints. The 3.8kW EI Inverter can be deployed on new and legacy inverter systems. The expansion of the IPOC feature to the 3.8kW inverter is a result of installer demand for smaller residential repowering offerings. It is designed to help allow installers to upgrade legacy systems while maintaining original system ratings and avoiding costly permitting or electrical upgrades. In the Midwest, where installers are increasingly servicing first-generation residential systems, these capabilities help streamline upgrades while preserving system economics for homeowners.
Roughly 400,000 U.S. residential solar systems are now more than a decade old. As many of these early systems fall within the 3–4 kW range, and research shows repowering is often driven as much by reliability issues as by economics, installers increasingly need solutions that preserve system capacity to avoid costly permitting or electrical upgrades. Meeting these constraints requires inverter technology that can adapt to legacy system conditions without requiring a redesign of the entire installation. IPOC allows installers to adjust AC output during commissioning to align with original system specifications or utility requirements.
"We're seeing strong demand for cost-effective repowering solutions in the Midwest, especially for smaller, early-generation systems that are starting to experience inverter failures," said Mike Skala, vice president of operations at SunSystem Technology. "Having a right-sized option that allows us to complete upgrades without re-permitting or panel upgrades helps us deliver faster, more affordable solutions for homeowners while keeping systems productive."
The 3.8kW inverter joins the 7.6kW and 11.4kW Tigo EI Inverters with IPOC capability for repowering applications and situations where permitting or utility requirements incentivize certain output limits. The inverter offers a wide operating voltage range and a small form factor, making it an excellent fit for a wide variety of inverter repowering applications. Together, these capabilities help enable installers to extend system life while minimizing the need for additional hardware, labor, and project complexity.
"Supporting installers through the transition from new installations to system upgrades requires the right tools and the right partners, and Tigo's approach to repowering focuses on real-world constraints like permitting and panel capacity," said Matt Smucker, president at Zonna Energy. "We're pleased to showcase solutions that align with what our installer network needs to serve customers efficiently. Our conference is designed to address evolving market demands, and it's great to work with Tigo on doing that once again."
IPOC settings are configured via the Tigo EI App during commissioning and logged for inspection verification, helping to streamline documentation for authorities having jurisdiction and reducing project delays. The inverter supports both standalone solar and solar-plus-storage configurations, giving homeowners the option to add battery backup during the upgrade process.
"The expansion of our repowering capabilities reflects the growing need for solutions that work within the constraints of existing systems," said Jing Tian, chief growth and revenue officer at Tigo Energy. "By combining flexible output control with compatibility across system configurations, we are helping installers complete upgrades more efficiently while maintaining system compliance and performance."
Tigo will highlight its approach to residential solar repowering at the Zonna Solar Conference, taking place April 21–22, 2026, in Berlin, Ohio. Tim Grahl, senior director of sales - East at Tigo, will present practical strategies for upgrading legacy systems using the Tigo GO Optimized ESS (Energy Storage System) platform. The session will demonstrate how pairing Tigo optimizers with DC-coupled hybrid inverters and modular battery storage up to 30 kWh can create an efficient repowering pathway for aging PV systems, all managed through the Tigo Energy Intelligence platform. Tigo will also demo the GO Optimized ESS, which consists of the new GO Battery, EI Inverter, and TS4-A-O flex MLPE.
To schedule a meeting with Tigo while at the Zonna Solar Conference, please visit here. To learn more about Tigo repowering solutions and the 3.8kW EI Inverter, visit the Tigo website. For general product inquiries, contact Tigo sales here.
About Tigo Energy
Founded in 2007, Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:TYGO) is a worldwide leader in the development and provider of smart hardware and software solutions that enhance safety, increase energy yield, and lower operating costs of residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar systems. Tigo combines its Flex MLPE (Module Level Power Electronics) and solar optimizer technology with intelligent, cloud-based software capabilities for advanced energy monitoring and control. Tigo MLPE products maximize performance, enable real-time energy monitoring, and provide code-required rapid shutdown at the module level. The company also develops and manufactures products such as inverters and battery storage systems for the residential solar-plus-storage market. For more information, please visit www.tigoenergy.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260415723576/en/
Contact Information
Technica Communications
Luis de Leon
Email: [email protected]